In the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and early Kuomintang period,
Tianjin was the home to foreign concessions. The local people began to believe in Catholicism and Christianity along with the construction of churches. Today, under the local government s protection, churches with different religious denominations can be found in the city.
Wanghailou Church
Located at the north bank of the Haihe River, Wanghailou Church is a well-known cultural relic in Tianjin. Also called Catholic Meeting Hall or Victory Mary Church, it was established by French Catholics in June 1869. Measuring 10 meters tall, 30 meters long and 10 meters wide, the church is mainly made of bricks and wood and is a good example of the Gothic building. The existing architecture was rebuilt in 1903 and repaired after the earthquake in 1976.
Chinese name: Wanghailou Jiaotang
Location: west end of Shizilin Street, Hebei district,
Tianjin
Admission fee: 6 yuan
Transportation: take bus No.14, 609, 675 or 856
Xikai Catholic Church
The Xikai Catholic Church, also called the French Church, is a noted Catholic church in Tianjin. It is the largest church in the city which was built by French Jesuit Missionaries in 1917. The building covers an area of 1,585 square meters and measures 45 meters tall. Three high towers standing on the top of the church compose a triangular pattern. The whole architecture follows the French Romanesque style.
Chinese name: Xikai Tianzhu Jiaotang
Location: 9, Xiningdao Street, Heping district,
Tianjin
Transportation: take subway line 1, sightseeing line 2, 35, 45, 50, 503, 600, 606, 631, 632, 641, 643, 800, 842, 851, 865, 870, 901 or 906 and get off at Binjiangdao (Binjiang Avenue).
Cangmenkou Church
Built by the United States Congregational Church in the 1860s, Cangmenkou Church is one of the important cultural relics in Tianjin. It was the first church in the city run by the Chinese. In 1900, the church was burned down by the and in 1932, it was enlarged in 1932. Though having experienced the Cultural Revolution and
Tangshan Earthquake, the building still keeps its original appearance.
Chinese name: Cangmenkou Jiaotang
Location: 186, Dongmennei Street, Nankai district,
Tianjin
Shanxi Road Church
Shanxi Road Church is the most influential church in Tianjin. Also called Wesley Church, it was built in memory of the British man Wesley, the founder of Methodist Church.
Chinese name: Shanxilu Jiaotang
Location: 62, Shanxi Road, Heping district,
Tianjin
Anglican Church
First built in 1903 and also known as All Saints Church, the renovation of Anglican Church was completed in the end of 2009. The original appearance of the church is kept. Historically, it enjoys the fame of the Church of England.
Chinese name: Anligan Jiaotang
Location: the meeting point of Zhejiang Road and Tai an Street, Heping district, Tianjin
